Elastic fluid turbine



V p 1944- G. o. TRUEX ELASTIC FLUID TURBINE Filed July so, 1943 Fig.1.

Inventor I George O. FrwmeX,

Attorney...

Patented Sept.

. 2,357,709 ms'rrc FLUID TURBINE George 0. True x', Schenectady, N. Y., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application July 30, 1948, Serial No. 496,745

(of. ass-s9) 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to elastic fluid turbines of the axial flow type having a casing and a plurality of axially spaced diaphragm supported in the casing for conducting operating fluid to a rotor having a plurality of axially spaced bucket wheels, each cooperatively associated with a diaphragm. More specifically, my invention relates to the type of turbine constructions in which one of the d'iaphragms is attached 'to and supported on another diaphragm, which latter in turn is held on the casing. Such arrangements are used, for example, in connection with extraction turbines. Heretofore it has been customary to support such we diaphragms on each other by means of circumferentially spaced, axially disposed bolts or studs. With such arrangements difllculties have been expedismantling. For a consideration-of what I believe to be' novel and my invention, attention is directed to the following description and the claims appended thereto in connection with the accom- P 81118 drawing.

In the drawing Fig. 1 illustrates an elastic fluid turbineembodying my invention, and Fig. 2'

is a perspective, enlarged view of a part of Fig. 1.

The turbine comprises a casing 10 with stationary diaphragms Ii, l2, ll, l4 and i5 disposed within and supported on the casing. A rotor having a shaft i8 and a plurality of bucket wheels il attached thereto is disposed within the casing, each bucket wheel being associated with one of the diaphragms H to it.

Each diaphragm has an inner disk I8. A plurality of'circumferentially spaced, radial partitions it are attached to the disk It and an outer ring or band 20 is suitably secured, preferably thereof being located in circumferential grooves formed in the casing.

In the present example the turbine has an extraction stage after the bucket wheel following the third diaphragm Ii. To extract fluid from such intermediate stage, an annular channel 2| is formed by the casing. The provision of this channel 2| and the desirability of keeping the dimensions of the casing small make it necessary to support the diaphragm [2 on the diaphragm II The latter has an annular flanged portion 22 projecting into a groove 28 in the casing. An axially extending portion 24 (Fig. 2) of the outer ring 20 of the "diaphragm is is provided with an annular groove 25 for receiving a tongue or axial annular projection 28 of the outer ring 20 of the diaphragm l2. -Thus;.the diaphragm i2 is centered and supported on the diaphragm It by means including an annular tongue and groove connection formed between the outer bands or rings of the two diaphragms. In order axially to secure the diaphragm l2 to the diaphragm ll,

'a plurality of circumferentially spaced clamping welded to the outer ends of the partitions I9. I

The flrst three diaphragms II and the diaphragms II, and II are directly supported on the casing it. their outer bands 2| ora portion means are provided attached to the outer cylindrical surface of the two diaphragms.

In the present example the outer cylindrical surfaces of the diaphragms l2, l3 have twoaxially spaced, circumferentially extending grooves 21 and 28. Opposite surfacesof the grooves 21. 28 are inclined towards each other, that is, the axial width of each groove increases toward the bottom of the groove. A plurality of circumferentially spaced, essentially U-shaped clamps 2! engage the outer surfaces of the two diaphragms. Each clamp has legs 30, ii projecting into the grooves 21, 28 respectively.' The legs 30, 3| are tapered, the thickness of each leg increasing towards its'free end and th legs and grooved rings 20form dovetail connections. with each other. In order to enable insertion of the legs ill, ll into the grooves 21, 28 the latter have notches 32 and 88 respectively.

During assembly the diaphragm i2 is first attached to the diaphragm I3 by the tongue and groove connection 25, 26. 'Ihereupon each clamp 28 isv applied to the outer cylindrical surfaces of the two diaphragms. The legs 30, SI of each clamp are inserted into the grooves through the notches 32, 33 respectively, whereupon each clamp 29 is moved circumferentially along the grooves 21, 28. Afterthe clamps have been moved into their proper position they may be flxed in these positions byany suitable means, for example, by the provision of a small weld or by peeni'ng over of portions the grooved outer bands adjacent the clamps.

In certain instances, the clamps 29 may be heated before insertion into the grooves of the diaphragm to produce a shrinking fit.

Having described the method of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and thatthe invention may be carried out by other means.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by I Letters Patent 01 the United States, is:

1. In an elastic fluid turbine of the axial flow type comprising a casing and a plurality'oi diaphragms supported in the casing, one of the diaphragms being directly held on the casing and having an outer circumferentially extending groove, and means for supporting another diaphragm having another circumierentially extending groove on the last mentioned diaphragm, said means comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced U-shaped clamps, each having legs forming dovetailed connections with the grooves of the respective diaphragms.

2. In an elastic fluid turbine of the axial flow type comprising a casing and a plurality of diaphragms supported in the casing, one of the diaphragms being directly held on the casing and having an outer circumferentially extending groove, and means for supporting another diaphragm having another circumferentially extending groove on the last mentioned diaphragm, said means comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced u-shaped clamps; each having,

legs forming dovetailed connections with the grooves of the respective diaphragms, and a tongue and groove connection formed between the diaphragms.

3. In an elastic fluid turbine of the axial flow type comprising a casing and a plurality of axially spaced 'diaphrag-ms in the casing, each having a disk, circumierentially spaced partitions bottom, a notch opening for each groove, and

a plurality of circumferentially spaced clamps each having legs with enlarged free ends inserted through said notches and slid along. the grooves axially to secure thetwo diaphragrns together.

*GEoRGi: o. 

